Sixth-form students at one of Lincoln's top-performing schools have backed a campaign asking governors to reassess a decision to slash lesson time.

Year 13 pupils and parents at The Priory Academy LSST in Bracebridge Heath have recently been told about plans that will see the time they spend learning each A-level subject reduced from five hours a week to four.

Under the proposals, students will be afforded more time for ‘independent study’ – a timetabled lesson where students have the freedom to do work for any of their chosen options.

However, it hasn’t gone down well with all the pupils, and one has even set up a petition to get the move reversed.

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The anonymous creator wrote in the description: “As many of you are likely aware, the senior leadership team of The Priory LSST have decided to reduce Year 13 lesson time from five hours per subject to four.

“[This is] despite the need for these extra hours for coursework/more subject content in general; maths and science subjects are going to be hit particularly hard by this, which will ultimately make lesson planning more difficult and will thus likely put a strain on how things are taught.

“Together, we could formulate ideas to save money in other areas, rather than having to sacrifice our lesson time for 'independent study', which, frankly, won’t always be used effectively.”

Lincoln's The Priory Academy LSST is reducing the number of hours students spend in their A-level subject each week

It continues: “Hopefully, with enough interest, this petition can raise more awareness regarding this issue, and ideally some sort of action will be taken to ensure we can get the education we desired, and were promised, from LSST.”

The initial target was set at 500 signatures but as of 4pm on May 24, that had been surpassed and the overall figure has now been doubled.

19-year-old Tim Ho has signed the petition despite graduating from the school last year.

He thinks it is vital students get as much time to study a specific subject as possible.

LSST headteacher Jane Hopkinson

“I feel that reducing contact hours puts the pressure on students, especially those who don’t understand subjects at a first glance,” he said.

“Students invariably get left behind by this system, which provides no real alternative support for them.

“Most of us even ex-students still feel very connected to the school and having passed through the education system at LSST, we understand how hard it can be and how vital that extra support is."

The Priory Federation of Academies insists the move has been made with the best intentions of the students in mind.

LSST headteacher Mrs Jane Hopkinson said: “We regularly refine and redesign our timetables to meet student needs. We’re making changes to the Year 13 curriculum for 2018-19 in order to align ourselves more closely with the new linear assessment models of the national exam boards.

“The Government’s recent changes to GCSE and A-Level courses have now fed through into the system and mean that we have to adapt accordingly for end-of-year exams, in most cases, rather than modular assessment.

“Over the coming months, we will be taking time to explain to our students, parents and carers exactly how we’ll be using the additional study time we’ve created. We’ll be reinforcing, assessing and testing our students’ knowledge at regular intervals throughout the academic year, to ensure they are in the best possible position to achieve success at A-Level or equivalent.

“Our new structure is becoming increasingly common across the country. Most importantly of all, it ensures we continue to deliver the best possible education for our Sixth Form students.”